Tokyo Area · Seitenshi's Residence
"Any idea why Assistant Tendo called us in for something this urgent?"
An official leaned toward the one sitting beside him.
"No clue. Word is he just suddenly summoned everyone."
"Something must have happened."
"What a mess of a time this is. Hiruko Kagetane still hasn't been caught, and now this on top of it."
The murmuring continued until the officer on duty called out sharply:
"Seitenshi! Assistant Tendo Kikunojo!"
Everyone rose.
A young woman of striking, almost delicate beauty stepped into the conference room wearing a white sun hat and an elegant white gown. She took the head seat and spoke with quiet composure.
"Good day, everyone. This meeting was Assistant Tendo's proposal, so I'll leave the floor to him."
Tendo Kikunojo, seated to her immediate right, folded his hands and looked out at the room.
"Please, everyone sit. I'll explain."
The room settled. All eyes went to him.
"Before I say anything, I'd like you all to look at this."
He gestured toward the large display screen behind Seitenshi.
"What is that? Is that a military formation?"
"Which area is mobilizing against Gastrea? They don't have nearly enough for a serious push."
"And what does any of this have to do with us?"
"Quiet!"
The officer on duty cut through the noise. The room fell still.
"This image," Tendo Kikunojo said, his tone measured and precise, "was captured by satellite. The location is the outer plains. Just outside our walls."
The silence that followed was a different kind entirely.
"That's impossible."
"Right outside the city?"
"No area could airlift a force that size. And they certainly couldn't have come overland."
Tendo Kikunojo let them absorb it, then continued.
"However they arrived, the fact is there is an army encamped on the outer plains, and they have already cleared every Gastrea from that area. The purpose of this meeting is to determine how we respond."
The weight of it sat over the room for a long moment. Then Seitenshi spoke.
"Assistant Tendo. Can our current forces handle an offensive from this army, if it comes to that?"
Before Tendo Kikunojo could answer, a general in full military uniform stood up.
"Seitenshi. Our forces are more than sufficient. If they move against us, I guarantee they will be annihilated."
Seitenshi looked at him and gave a small, gentle nod.
"If the Commander says so, then I'm reassured."
"Oh, you just believe whatever he tells you? No wonder you're more mascot than ruler. All the real power sits in other people's hands and you smile and nod along. Isn't that right, Assistant Tendo Kikunojo?"
"Who said that?! Guards!"
"Bang!"
Armed guards burst through the door, rifles trained on the young man standing on top of the conference table.
"Again?! How are people just walking in here?! Hiruko Kagetane two days ago, and now this!"
"Are the guards completely useless?!"
Tendo Kikunojo's eyes fixed on the figure standing on the table. His expression stayed calm, but something behind it had shifted.
"You have entered this conference room uninvited," he said, voice low and deliberate. "State your purpose."
"Oh, how rude of me. I haven't even introduced myself."
The young man placed his right hand over his chest and gave a slight bow.
"My name is Kaito. I'm here to cause trouble. Please go easy on me."
Several officials exchanged glances. The entrance, the table, the introduction. It was eerily familiar.
Is he connected to Hiruko Kagetane? They're doing exactly the same thing.
'Heh heh. Of course it's the same. I did it on purpose.'
After handing Ririka off to Kanae and the others, Kaito had let his divine sense sweep across the city and found a room full of high-ranking officials conveniently gathered together. Passing that up would have been a waste.
There was also a practical reason. The large force he'd sent toward the city needed time. If he let this room full of officials sit and stew over satellite images, they might do something rash, like reach for a nuclear option. He'd rather deal with that himself than let it get that far.
"What is your connection to Hiruko Kagetane? Do you have any idea where you are right now?"
An official jabbed a finger at him from across the table.
Kaito didn't even look at him. He kept his attention on Tendo Kikunojo.
"Well, Assistant Tendo Kikunojo? I just told you I'm here to cause trouble. Nothing to say to that?"
Tendo Kikunojo studied the young man looking back at him. His instincts told him this had nothing to do with Hiruko Kagetane. Last time, he had quietly arranged for Kagetane to get through. This time, he'd done nothing of the sort, and this person had walked in anyway.
"Guards. Kill him."
The guards opened fire.
"Da da da da da!"
"Da da da da da!"
"Ah!"
Seitenshi flinched despite herself.
"What... what is that?!"
"A golden barrier? How is that possible?!"
Every bullet had stopped dead against a gleaming shield of light surrounding Kaito. He stood inside it with his arms loosely at his sides, looking mildly entertained.
Tendo Kikunojo's breathing had gone shallow. He had a feeling, sitting in his chest like a stone, that this young man had come here specifically for him.
"You're not making much of a dent. Have you considered rocket launchers?"
"You..."
"Da da da da da!"
The guards kept firing. They had nothing else to try.
Tendo Kikunojo watched for another moment, then raised a hand.
"Enough. Stand down." He looked at Kaito directly. "You came here with something in mind. Name your terms. As long as they're reasonable, I can speak on Seitenshi's behalf."
Kaito looked at him and smiled.
"Reasonable. Alright, here's my first demand."
Tendo Kikunojo allowed himself a quiet breath of relief. Demands meant negotiation. Negotiation meant this could be handled.
"Go ahead."
"I want you dead."
"...What."